Subject: Re: Paying taxes
I also think Buffett is trying to make things easier on his successor. If Buffett dies and Abel takes over and there is war (shooting or economic) and Apple ends up getting hit hard, Buffett doesn't want one of Abel's first acts as the new person in charge to have to explain how Berkshire lots billions in their Apple investment. It is easier for Buffett to take the fallout from the tax hit to earnings than it would be for Abel to do so.